Suicide attempts in the Israeli army over 18 months has skyrocketed according to official records
Official Israeli data revealed that 279 suicide attempts were recorded in the ranks of the army during 18 months, while 36 soldiers lost their lives by suicide during the same period.
The Israeli broadcasting authority said on Wednesday that a new report by the Knesset’s research and information center showed disturbing data regarding suicide attempts among Israeli soldiers.
The report, which came at the request of Knesset member Ofer Cassif, showed that between January 2024 and July 2025, 279 suicide attempts were recorded in the ranks of the Israeli army.
According to Haaretz newspaper, which cited the same report, 36 soldiers died by suicide during the same period.
The report, explained that the systematic collection of data on suicide attempts in the army began in 2024, noting that 12 percent of the attempts were extremely dangerous, and 88 percent were moderate.
He also presented data from 2017 showing that 124 soldiers had died by suicide up to July 2025, including 68% in compulsory service, 21% in active reserve, and 11% in permanent service.
The report noted a significant increase in suicides among reserve recruits since 2023, linking this to the increased number of active recruits since the outbreak of the recent war.
The Israeli broadcasting authority quoted Knesset member Ofer Cassif as saying: “There is no greater value than human life… The suicide epidemic, which is expected to increase with the end of the war, requires the creation of real support systems for soldiers, and working to end wars and achieve real peace… A government that sends its soldiers to war and leaves them to face the consequences alone is working against them”.
